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The Rafale fighter jet of the French Air Force has landed at Jodhpur for their first ever outing in the Indian subcontinent just when the Defence Ministry is gearing up to take forward price negotiations for purchasing 126 of the combat jets for the Indian Air Force.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government settling in, hope has lightened up the sky for the IAF, which is eager to expand its fighter fleet with the induction of the French fighters.
The negotiations for what is often described as the “mother of all deals” is expected to pick up steam later this month when officials are scheduled to meet again to finalise the contract.
The French Air Force Rafale aircraft that will participate in Exercise Garuda-V at Jodhpur lined up on the tarmac on Monday
India had selected the Rafale for exclusive negotiations in January 2012 after French aircraft maker Dassault emerged the lowest bidder, beating competition from the U.S., Russia and European contenders Eurofighter and Saab.
The negotiations hit several roadblocks and the latest stumbling block — on the workshare agreement between Dassault and its Indian Production Agencies (IPAs) led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — was removed just weeks before the UPA government demitted office.
Sources said price negotiations are scheduled to start again soon. The contract negotiations were spearheaded by four sub-committees that dealt with off-set, transfer of technology, technical issues and costs.
Three sub-committees — on off-set, transfer of technology and technical issues like maintenance — have been wound up, meaning a major part of the negotiations are over, said sources.
It will take at least three months from now for discussions on costs to be completed, they said.
The negotiation process is underway with Dassault, Thales and Snecma, the three original equipment manufacturers for the Rafale.
According to the contract, 18 aircraft will be purchased in fly-away condition and the rest will be made in India. IAF chief Arup Raha will make an elaborate presentation to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on June 4.
This will be the first detailed briefing for the new minister where the modernization of the IAF will figure prominently.
Apart from purchasing 126 Rafale jets, the IAF is also looking to speed up acquisition of Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy lift helicopters and Airbus refuellers.
The three projects have been stuck at various stages.
Just ahead of the talks, the French Air Force has sent the Rafales to India for the Garuda air exercise.
Garuda-V started on Monday and will go on till June 13.
Read more: Deal for 126 combat aircraft floats as Rafale fighter jet land in Jodhpur | Mail Online
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government settling in, hope has lightened up the sky for the IAF, which is eager to expand its fighter fleet with the induction of the French fighters.
The negotiations for what is often described as the “mother of all deals” is expected to pick up steam later this month when officials are scheduled to meet again to finalise the contract.
The French Air Force Rafale aircraft that will participate in Exercise Garuda-V at Jodhpur lined up on the tarmac on Monday
India had selected the Rafale for exclusive negotiations in January 2012 after French aircraft maker Dassault emerged the lowest bidder, beating competition from the U.S., Russia and European contenders Eurofighter and Saab.
The negotiations hit several roadblocks and the latest stumbling block — on the workshare agreement between Dassault and its Indian Production Agencies (IPAs) led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — was removed just weeks before the UPA government demitted office.
Sources said price negotiations are scheduled to start again soon. The contract negotiations were spearheaded by four sub-committees that dealt with off-set, transfer of technology, technical issues and costs.
Three sub-committees — on off-set, transfer of technology and technical issues like maintenance — have been wound up, meaning a major part of the negotiations are over, said sources.
It will take at least three months from now for discussions on costs to be completed, they said.
The negotiation process is underway with Dassault, Thales and Snecma, the three original equipment manufacturers for the Rafale.
According to the contract, 18 aircraft will be purchased in fly-away condition and the rest will be made in India. IAF chief Arup Raha will make an elaborate presentation to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on June 4.
This will be the first detailed briefing for the new minister where the modernization of the IAF will figure prominently.
Apart from purchasing 126 Rafale jets, the IAF is also looking to speed up acquisition of Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy lift helicopters and Airbus refuellers.
The three projects have been stuck at various stages.
Just ahead of the talks, the French Air Force has sent the Rafales to India for the Garuda air exercise.
Garuda-V started on Monday and will go on till June 13.
Read more: Deal for 126 combat aircraft floats as Rafale fighter jet land in Jodhpur | Mail Online
